El Salvador inaugurates Cotecna’s inspection services

Press Release
Geneva, 20 December, 2013

Cotecna, one of the world’s leading inspection, testing and certification companies, was shown appreciation by President Mauricio Funes, president of El Salvador, at the recent launch of non-intrusive inspection services in El Salvador.

Since the signature of the 10 year contract in December 2012 with the government of El Salvador, Cotecna, who partnered with the leading scanner manufacturer Smiths Detection, has carried out extensive civil engineering works and has installed non-intrusive vehicle and cargo x-ray equipment, weighbridges and container/vehicle ID number automatic recognition, at different sites throughout El Salvador. Sites include the land borders of Anguiatú, La Hachadura, El Amatillo (2 sites) and El Poy, the seaport of Acajutla (2 sites), the international airport of Comalapa and the Customs Headquarters of San Bartolo. The center of command and image analysis set up in San Bartolo includes a dedicated, large bandwidth, secured communication network that covers the entire country. Emphasis has been put on data security and the integration of inspection equipment with the Customs IT system to obtain a totally paperless, 100% electronic, data management system.

This project, which is part of the government of El Salvador’s Customs modernization program, was designed and wholly financed by Cotecna, a recognized leader in vehicle and cargo scanning services.

Cotecna has already trained over 100 Customs officers and will continue training throughout the contractual period to accompany the Dirección General de Aduanasto (DGA) in its capacity building. Cotecna has hired and trained close to 130 staff required for the 24/7 operations and maintenance of the inspection equipment and scanner sites.

Robert Massey, CEO of Cotecna stated: “Cotecna is proud of the role it has been asked to play by the government of El Salvador in the modernization of their Customs administration. This turnkey Build Operate Transfer (B.O.T), Private Public Partnership project is a key component and recognizes Cotecna’s leadership and expertise in state-of-the-art non-intrusive inspection services. This will contribute to the objective of the Dirección General de Aduanasto to enhance an effective trade facilitation and trade security environment, conducive to economic growth, regional integration and social development through capacity building.”

Eduardo Parodi, Smiths Detection’s General Manager for Latin America commented: “The inauguration by the Customs Department marks the full completion and installation of Smiths Detection equipment and, at the same time, it reflects the magnitude and the impact of X-ray technology in the safety of foreign trade operations in El Salvador.”

About Cotecna
Founded in Switzerland in 1974, the Cotecna group offers a wide range of Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) services. Cotecna is a pioneer in areas such as risk management, destination inspection and scanner integration projects for Customs administrations. Cotecna verifies contractual compliance for a wide range of commodities and consumer goods and also provides trade finance services for lenders and financiers. The Cotecna Group has a combined workforce of about 4,000 employees and agents in close to 100 offices.

About Smiths DetectionSmiths Detection offers advanced security solutions in civil and military markets worldwide, developing and manufacturing government-regulated technology products that help detect and identify explosives, chemical and biological agents, radiological and nuclear threats, weapons, narcotics and contraband. It is part of Smiths Group, a global leader in applying integrated, advanced technologies to markets in threat and contraband detection, energy, medical devices, communications and engineered components. Smiths Group employs around 23,000 people in more than 50 countries.